Have you made some New Year resolutions yet? Many do so, but not too successfully I might add. Some want to lose weight, others want to spend more time with those who are important in their lives, and still others want to give up bad habits. All of these things can be useful but have you ever thought about recommitting yourself to the Lord? Perhaps doing some serious planning to make time for some Bible reading and prayer? Perhaps changing things in your busy life so that attending worship and enjoying the fellowship of believers on a more regular basis?
One of the recurring problems we read about in Scripture, particularly in the Old Testament is that God’s people so quickly forgot who the Lord was and what he had done for them (Judges 2:10). It’s something that can easily become a problem in the modern church, yet we have more reason to be vigilant than what the Old Testament people did. We know Jesus and His saving work, something that the Old Testament people could only see dimly. Mr C.T. Studd got it right, “Only one life, ‘twill soon be past, only what is done for Christ will last.”
Perhaps the following hymn penned by Francis R. Havergal in 1874 says it all…
- Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be,
In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;
Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast,
Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
- Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;
Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;
Another year of progress, another year of praise,
Another year of proving Thy presence all the days.
- Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;
Another year of training for holier work above.
Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be
On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee.
Have a blessed New Year. Trudy & John.